In order to effectuate the goals and purposes of Section 1040.26, the following regulations on cross-connection control are hereby adopted:
REGULATIONS ON CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL
Section 1. General Policy.
A. Purpose. The purpose of these regulations is:
1. To protect the public potable water supply from contamination or pollution by isolating, within the consumer's water system, contaminants or pollutants which could backflow through the service connection into the public potable water system;
2. To promote the elimination or control of existing cross-connections, actual or potential, between the public or the consumer's potable water system and nonpotable water systems, plumbing fixtures and sources or systems containing process fluids; and
3. To provide for the maintenance of a continuing program of cross-connection control, which will systematically and effectively prevent the contamination or pollution of the public and the consumer's potable water systems.
B. Application. These regulations shall apply to all premises served by the public potable water system of the City of New Carlisle.
C. Policy. The Director of Public Service shall be responsible for the protection of the public potable water system from contamination due to backflow of contaminants through the water service connection. If, in the judgment of the Director of Public Service, an approved backflow prevention device is necessary at the water service connection to a consumer's premises for the safety of the water system, the Director of Public Service or his or her authorized representative shall give notice to the consumer to install such approved backflow prevention device at each service connection to his or her premises. The consumer shall immediately install such approved device or devices at his or her own expense, and failure, refusal or inability on the part of the consumer to install such device or devices immediately shall constitute grounds for discontinuing water service to the premises until such device or devices have been installed.
Section 2. Definitions. The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of these regulations:
A. "Air gap separation" means the unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture or other device, and the flood level rim of the receptacle.
B. "Approved" means that a backflow prevention device or method has been accepted by the supplier of water and the Director as suitable for the proposed use.
C. "Auxiliary water system" means any water system on or available to the premises, other than the public water system, and includes the water supplied by the system. These auxiliary waters may include water from another supplier's public water system; water from a source, such as wells, lakes or streams; process fluids; or used water. They may be polluted, contaminated or objectionable, or may constitute a water source or system over which the supplier of water does not have control.
D. "Backflow" means the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distributing pipes of a potable water supply from any source other than the intended source of the potable water supply.
E. "Backflow prevention device" means any device, method or type of construction intended to prevent backflow into a potable water system.
F. "Consumer" means the owner or person in control of any premises supplied by, or in any manner connected to, the public water system.
G. "Consumer's water system" means any water system located on the consumer's premises that is supplied by, or in any manner connected to, a public water system. A household plumbing system is considered to be a consumer's water system.
H. "Contamination" means an impairment of the quality of the water by sewage, process fluid or waste, to a degree which could create an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease by exposure.
I. "Cross-connection" means any arrangement whereby backflow can occur.
J. "Degree of hazard" means the potential risk to health and the adverse effect upon the potable water system, derived from an evaluation of that potential.
K. "Director" means the Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency or his or her duly authorized representative.
L. "Double-check valve assembly" means an assembly composed of two single, independently-acting check valves, including tightly-closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections for testing the water-tightness of each check valve.
M. "Health hazard" means any condition, device or practice in a water system or its operation that creates or may create a danger to the health and well-being of users. The word "severe," as used to qualify "health hazard," means a hazard to the health of the user that could reasonably be expected to result in significant morbidity or death.
N. "Interchangeable connection" means an arrangement or device that will allow alternate, but not simultaneous, use of two sources of water.
O. "Non-potable water" means water not safe for drinking, personal or culinary use.
P. "Person" means the State, any political subdivision of the State, or any public or private corporation, individual, partnership or other legal entity.
Q. "Pollution" means the presence in water of any foreign substance that tends to degrade its quality so as to constitute a hazard or impair the usefulness or quality of the water, to a degree which does not create an actual hazard to the public health, but which does adversely and unreasonably affect such water for domestic use.
R. "Pollutional hazard" means a condition through which an aesthetically objectionable or degrading material not dangerous to health may enter the public water system or a consumer's potable water system.
S. "Potable water" means water which is satisfactory for drinking, culinary and domestic purposes and meets the requirements of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
T. "Process fluids" means any fluid or solution which may be chemically, biologically or otherwise contaminated or polluted in a form or concentration such as would constitute a health, pollutional or system hazard if introduced into the public water system or a consumer's potable water system. "Process fluids" includes, but is not limited to:
1. Polluted or contaminated waters;
2. Process waters;
3. Used waters originating from the public water system, which may have deteriorated in sanitary quality;
4. Cooling waters;
5. Contaminated natural water taken from wells, lakes, streams or irrigation systems;
6. Chemicals in solution or suspension; and
7. Oils, gases, acids, alkalis and other liquid and gaseous fluids used in industrial or other processes or for fire-fighting purposes.
U. "Public water system" means that which is ascribed to such term in Sections 6109.01 and 6109.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.
V. "Reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention device" means a device containing a minimum of two independently-acting check valves, together with an automatically-operated pressure differential relief valve located between two check valves. During normal flow and at the cessation of normal flow, the pressure between these two checks shall be less than the supply pressure. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve, by discharging to the atmosphere, shall operate to maintain the pressure between the check valves at less than the supply pressure. The unit must include tightly-closing shutoff valves located at each end of the device, and each device shall be fitted with properly located test cocks.
W. "Service connection" means the terminal end of a service line from the public water system. If a meter is installed at the end of the service, then "service connection" means the downstream end of the meter.
X. "Supplier of water" means the owner or operator of a public water system.
Y. "System hazard" means a condition posing an actual or potential threat of damage to the physical properties of the public water system or a consumer's potable water system.
Z. "Used water" means any water supplied by a supplier of water from a public water system to a consumer's water system after it has passed through the service connection and is no longer under the control of the supplier.
Section 3. Water System.
A. The water system shall be considered to be made up of two parts: the public potable water system and the consumer's water system.
B. The public potable water system shall consist of the source facilities and the distribution system and shall include all those facilities of the potable water system under the control of the Director of Public Service up to the point where the consumer's water system begins.
C. The source shall include all components of the facilities utilized in the production, treatment, storage and delivery of water to the public distribution system.
D. The public distribution system shall include the network of conduits used for delivery of water from the source to the consumer's water system.
E. The consumer's water system shall include those parts of the facilities beyond the service connection which are utilized in conveying water from the public distribution system to points of use.
Section 4. Cross-Connections Prohibited.
A. No water service connection shall be installed or maintained in any premises where actual or potential cross-connections to the public potable or consumer's water system may exist, unless such actual or potential cross-connections are abated or controlled to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Service.
B. No connection shall be installed or maintained whereby water from an auxiliary water system may enter a public potable or consumer's water system, unless such auxiliary water system and the method of connection and use of such system shall have been approved by the Superintendent of Water and by the Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, as required by Section 6109.13 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Section 5. Surveys and Investigations.
A. The consumer's premises shall be open at all reasonable times to the Director of Public Service, or his or her authorized representative, for the purpose of conducting surveys and investigations of water use practices within the consumer's premises to determine whether there are actual or potential cross-connections to the consumer's water system through which contaminants or pollutants could backflow into the public potable water system.
B. On request by the Director of Public Service, or his or her authorized representative, the consumer shall furnish information on water use practices within his or her premises.
C. It shall be the responsibility of the water consumer to conduct periodic surveys of water use practices on his or her premises to determine whether there are actual or potential cross-connections in his or her water system through which contaminants or pollutants could backflow into his or her or the public potable water system.
Section 6. Where Protection is Required.
A. An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed on each service line to a consumer's water system serving premises where, in the judgment of the Director of Public Service, actual or potential hazards to the public potable water system exist.
B. An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed on each service line to a consumer's water system serving premises where the following conditions exist:
1. Premises having an auxiliary water system, unless such auxiliary system is accepted as an additional source by the Director of Public Service and the source is approved by the Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency;
2. Premises on which any substance is handled in such a fashion as to create an actual or potential hazard to the public potable water system. This shall include premises having sources or systems containing process fluids or waters originating from the public potable water system which are no longer under the sanitary control of the Director of Public Service;
3. Premises having internal cross-connections that, in the judgment of the Director of Public Service, are not correctable, or having intricate plumbing arrangements which make it impractical to determine whether or not cross-connections exist;
4. Premises where, because of security requirements or other prohibitions or restrictions, it is impossible or impractical to make a complete cross- connection survey;
5. Premises having a repeated history of cross-connections being established or re-established; or
6. Other premises specified by the Director of Public Service or the Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
C. An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed on each service line to a consumer's water system service, including, but not necessarily limited to, the following types of facilities, unless the Director of Public Service or the Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency determines that no actual or potential hazard to the public potable water system exists:
1. Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics and nursing homes;
2. Laboratories;
3. Piers, docks and waterfront facilities;
4. Sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping stations or storm water pumping stations;
5. Food or beverage processing plants;
6. Chemical plants;
7. Metal plating industries;
8. Petroleum processing or storage plants;
9. Radioactive material processing plants or nuclear reactors;
10. Car washes; and
11. Other facilities specified by the Director of Public Service or the Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
D. An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed at any point of connection between the public potable or consumer's water system and an auxiliary water system, unless such auxiliary system is accepted as an additional source by the Director of Public Service and the source is approved by the Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
Section 7. Type of Protection Required.
A. The type of protection required under Sections 6.A, 6.B and 6.C of these regulations shall depend on the degree of hazard which exists as follows:
1. An approved air gap separation shall be installed where the public potable water system may be contaminated with substances that could cause a severe health hazard;
2. An approved air gap separation or an approved reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be installed where the public potable water system may be contaminated with any substance that could cause a system hazard or health hazard; or
3. An approved air gap separation, an approved reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention device or an approved double-check valve assembly shall be installed where the public potable water system may be polluted with substances that could cause a pollutional hazard not dangerous to health.
B. The type of protection required under Section 6.D. of these regulations shall be an approved air gap separation or an approved interchangeable connection.
C. Where an auxiliary water system is used as a secondary source of water for a fire protection system, the provisions of Section 7.B. for an approved air gap separation or an approved interchangeable connection may not be required, provided that:
1. At premises where the auxiliary water system may be contaminated with substances that could cause a system or health hazard, the public or consumer's potable water system shall be protected against backflow by installation of an approved reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention device;
2. At all other premises, the public or consumer's potable water system shall be protected against backflow by installation of either an approved reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention device or an approved double-check valve assembly;
3. The public or consumer's potable water system shall be the primary source of water for the fire protection system;
4. The fire protection system shall be normally filled with water from the public or consumer's potable water system;
5. The water in the fire protection system shall be used for fire protection only, with no regular use of water from the fire protection system downstream from the approved backflow prevention device; and
6. The water in the fire protection system shall contain no additives.
Section 8. Backflow Prevention Devices.
A. Any backflow prevention device required by these regulations shall be of a model or construction approved by the Director of Public Service and the Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and shall comply with the following:
1. An air gap separation, to be approved, shall be at least twice the diameter of the supply pipe, measured vertically above the top rim of the vessel, but in no case less than one inch;
2. A double-check valve assembly or a reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be approved by the Director of Public Service and shall appear on the current list of approved backflow prevention devices of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; and
3. An interchangeable connection, to be approved, shall be either a swing- type connector or a four-way valve of the lubricated plug type that operates through a mechanism which unseats the plug, turns it ninety degrees and reseats the plug. Four-way valves shall not be used as stop valves, but must have separate stop valves on each pipe connected to the valve. The telltale port on the four-way valve shall have no piping connected and the threads or flange on this port shall be destroyed so that a connection cannot be made.
B. Existing backflow prevention devices, approved by the Director of Public Service or the Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency at the time of installation, and if properly maintained, shall, except for inspection, testing and maintenance requirements, be excluded from the requirement of Section 8.A of these regulations, provided that the Director of Public Service is assured that they will satisfactorily protect the public potable water system. Whenever the existing device is moved from the present location or requires more than minimum maintenance, or when the Director of Public Service finds that the maintenance of the device constitutes a hazard to health, the device shall be replaced by a backflow prevention device meeting the requirements of these regulations.
Section 9. Installation.
A. Backflow prevention devices required by these regulations shall be installed at a location and in a manner approved by the Director of Public Service and at the expense of the water consumer. In addition, any backflow prevention device required by Sections 7.B. and 7.C. of these regulations shall be installed at a location and in a manner approved by the Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, as required by Section 6109.13 of the Ohio Revised Code.
B. Backflow prevention devices installed on the service line to a consumer's water system shall be located on the consumer's side of the water meter, as close to the meter as is reasonably practical, and shall be installed prior to any other connection.
C. Pits or vaults shall be of a water-tight construction, shall be so located and constructed as to prevent flooding and shall be maintained free from standing water by means of either a sump and pump or a suitable drain. Such sump pump or drain shall not connect to a sanitary sewer and shall not permit flooding of the pit or vault by reverse flow from its point of discharge. An access ladder and adequate natural or artificial lighting shall be provided to permit maintenance, inspection and testing of the backflow prevention device.
D. Reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention devices must be installed above ground level or floor level, whichever is higher.
Section 10. Inspection and Maintenance.
A. It shall be the duty of the consumer, at any premises on which backflow prevention devices required by these regulations are installed, to have inspections, tests and overhauls made in accordance with the following schedule, or more often where inspections indicate a need:
1. Air gap separations shall be inspected at the time of installation and at least once every twelve months thereafter.
2. Double-check valve assemblies shall be inspected and tested for tightness at the time of installation and at least once every twelve months thereafter. They shall be dismantled, inspected internally, cleaned and repaired whenever needed and at least once every thirty months;
3. Reduced-pressure principle backflow prevention devices shall be inspected and tested for tightness at the time of installation and at least once every twelve months thereafter. They shall be dismantled, inspected internally, cleaned and repaired whenever needed and at least once every five years; and
4. Interchangeable connections shall be inspected at the time of installation and at least once every twelve months thereafter.
B. Inspections, tests and overhauls of backflow prevention devices shall be made at the expense of the water consumer and shall be performed by the Director of Public Service or a person approved by the Director of Public Service as qualified to inspect, test and overhaul backflow prevention devices.
C. Whenever backflow prevention devices required by these regulations are found to be defective, they shall be repaired, overhauled or replaced at the expense of the consumer, without delay.
D. The water consumer must maintain a complete record of each backflow prevention device from purchase to retirement. This record shall include a comprehensive listing that includes a record of all tests, inspections, repairs and overhauls. Records of inspections, tests, repairs and overhauls shall be submitted to the Director of Public Service.
E. Backflow prevention devices shall not be bypassed, made inoperative, removed or otherwise made ineffective without specific authorization by the Director of Public Service.
Section 11. Booster Pumps.
A. Where a booster pump has been installed on the service line to or within any premises, such pump shall be equipped with a low-pressure cut-off device designed to shut off the booster pump when the pressure in the service line on the suction side of the pump drops to ten pounds per square inch gauge or less.
B. It shall be the duty of the water consumer to maintain the low-pressure cut-off device in proper working order and to certify to the Director of Public Service, at least once a year, that the device is operating properly.
Section 12. Violations.
A. The Director of Public Service shall deny or discontinue, after reasonable notice to the occupants thereof, the water service to any premises wherein any backflow prevention device required by these regulations is not installed, tested and maintained in a manner acceptable to the Director of Public Service, or if it is found that the backflow prevention device has been removed or bypassed, or if an unprotected cross-connection exists on the premises, or if a low-pressure cut-off required by these regulations is not installed and maintained in working order.
B. Water service to such premises shall not be restored until the consumer has corrected or eliminated such conditions or defects in conformance with these regulations and to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Service.
(Ord. 96-24. Passed 9-3-96.)